North Gaston product one call away from major leagues

(Photo courtesy of The Corpus Christi Hooks) Gaston County native Jake Buchanan has moved up the Houston Astros minor league system and will report to Triple A affiliate Oklahoma City RedHawks after participating in the Texas League AA All-Star game at Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

By Kevin Ellis

Published: Monday, June 24, 2013 at 02:47 PM.

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas– Former North Gaston High pitcher Jake Buchanan is now just a phone call away from playing in the big leagues.

Buchanan led all Texas League pitchers in the first half of the season in low earned run average and walks plus hits per inning pitched while helping anchor the AA Corpus Christi Hooks’ pitching staff, and the Houston Astros rewarded him Sunday with a promotion to its Triple A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

“You really can’t think too much about getting called up. You have no control over that,” Buchanan said last week from his former team’s home at Whataburger Field. “You want to play in the big leagues, but God has a plan so you just go out and do your best and hope for the best.”

Minor leaguers make seven-hour bus rides to away games, pay team dues for meals and many of them, including Buchanan, save a few dollars by living with host families.

“When you’re here, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like there – bigger crowds, bigger stadiums, great money,” he said. “But it’s still the same game.”

Buchanan will now report to the Oklahoma City RedHawks after participating in Tuesday’s Texas League All-Star game at Northwest Arkansas.

From Oklahoma, he’ll be just one step away from Houston and Minute Maid Park.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas– Former North Gaston High pitcher Jake Buchanan is now just a phone call away from playing in the big leagues.

Buchanan led all Texas League pitchers in the first half of the season in low earned run average and walks plus hits per inning pitched while helping anchor the AA Corpus Christi Hooks’ pitching staff, and the Houston Astros rewarded him Sunday with a promotion to its Triple A affiliate in Oklahoma City.

“You really can’t think too much about getting called up. You have no control over that,” Buchanan said last week from his former team’s home at Whataburger Field. “You want to play in the big leagues, but God has a plan so you just go out and do your best and hope for the best.”

Minor leaguers make seven-hour bus rides to away games, pay team dues for meals and many of them, including Buchanan, save a few dollars by living with host families.

“When you’re here, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like there – bigger crowds, bigger stadiums, great money,” he said. “But it’s still the same game.”

Buchanan will now report to the Oklahoma City RedHawks after participating in Tuesday’s Texas League All-Star game at Northwest Arkansas.

From Oklahoma, he’ll be just one step away from Houston and Minute Maid Park.

Buchanan’s path to professional baseball has not always been smooth.

Major league teams did not pay attention to Buchanan when he graduated from North Gaston High in 2007. Just one team sent him an information card expressing interest, he said.

At 6 feet, 200 pounds, scouts saw him as undersized, not someone they could project staring down big league hitters.

But scouts took notice of Buchanan’s command while he hurled three years at North Carolina State and in the summer collegiate Cape Cod League.

In 2010, the Astros took Buchanan with its eighth round pick. Growing up in Dallas, he’d always dreamed of being a Brave, but remains grateful to the Astros for giving him a shot.

“Once you get drafted by someone, it’s just awesome for that to happen,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan made Single A stops in Troy, N.Y., and Lancaster, Calif., before making it to Double A ball in Corpus Christi.

But after two years of steady progress, Buchanan took a step backward in 2012.

He would finish that year with a 5.25 earned run average, and gave up 12 homers in 142.1 innings.

He caught the eye of the Astros this year with a record of 7-2 and an ERA of just 2.09 in 82 innings of work.

“Last year was pretty tough. This year’s a lot more fun when you’re not struggling,” Buchanan said.

Coming to the pros, Buchanan had to make an adjustment from the collegiate players using metal bats. He also faced an upgrade in talent.

“I think the approach of hitters is a little better here,” he said. “In college, you have four or five hitters, up here, everyone’s been drafted. Everyone’s a hitter.”

And while Buchanan’s journey toward the big leagues takes him to another city far from home he said he still keeps in contact with friends from high school and college through social media. Minor league baseball phone apps allow family and friends to keep tabs on his performances.

He talked about seeing a Sun Drop truck on his way to the ballpark, and says there are many things he misses from being away from his Gaston County home.

“I can eat a fried livermush sandwich for breakfast,” he said with a laugh.

To make it to the major leagues Buchanan said he needs to work on his sinker and cutter pitches. He needs a better curveball to bring a change from his 85- to 90-mph fastball.

Scouts like his command and his ability to force batters to hit the ball on the ground.

In Corpus Christi, Buchanan and the other players would arrive at the stadium around 1 p.m. each day despite most games not even starting until 7 at night. Players only get a day off about twice a month, he said.

“You’re here every day and the pay’s not great, but you’re betting to play baseball so you love it,” he said.

And one day, Buchanan hopes, the ‘A’ on his dad’s baseball cap will stand for Astros rather than Atlanta.

“The Braves are still my dad’s favorite team,” he said. “I guess at least until I ever make it to the Astros.”

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or twitter.com/TheGazetteKevin.